Loving the Game

Graduation Pt. 2

"My baby!" My mom squealed once she saw my face. "Ma!" I blushed as I gave her a big hug. My dad followed shortly behind with his luggage. "Look at my baby," my dad smiled squeezing my shoulders. "How was you alls flight?" I asked giving them both another hug. The last time I had seen my parents was on Christmas break and now it's all most summertime. "It was nice," my mom said. "I hate planes," my dad sighed as we began to take the elevator down to the parking lot. "We're so proud of you Brianne," momma said wiping away fake tears. "Aww," I smiled," thanks for keeping me focused." "I kept you focused off them boys," my dad pinched in as he pressed the elevator button that led to the parking garage. My mom and me both rolled our eyes in unison. "Speaking of which..." I began shyly. "I have someone that I want you to meet." "Great! I've been waiting to hear those words," ma laughed. I looked at my dad who didn't seem as pleased. "Oh come on old man she's 21 not 12," my mom pointed out. "I know, I know but she's still my little girl," my dad huffed. "He's a nice guy. Trust me." I assured.
"What's he like," my mom said nudging me as the elevator doors slid open.
"His name is Deshawn and he's the basketball captain. He's really sweet and good guy when you get to know him."
"What's his major?" Dad questioned. "Education. He wants to be a math or art teacher. Whatever the school offers, but he is actually going to the NBA first." "NBA!?" My parents said in unison as we reached my Lincoln. I nodded as if it were nothing. I had gotten used to it all by now. "That's a lot to deal with, Brianne,"my mom warned. "I know I know but I like him...a lot. You got to understand ma," I begged. "I don't know baby. NBA players aren't always faithful when they get the lime light and that's coming from me," my daddy joked. "Yeah," I sighed. "But don't let me...what's the word nowadays..."cockblock" you," my dad smirked. "Gross!" I said scrunching up my face. My parents were wayyyyy more hip then they needed to be and it grossed me out.

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• Deshawn's POV •

I took a deep breath for knocking on the door of the condo Bri's parents had rented while they visited here for graduation. I was scared as hell. I've never ever met any of my previous girlfriends parents. Ever. Bri and I haven't been together for too long, but I knew it was getting quite serious for us to be doing all this. Maybe too serious. But I suppose it was worth because she was truly down for me and she's shown it. I rang the doorbell and patiently waited for someone to open up. I had two bundles of flowers in my hand. One for her and the other for her mom. I told myself and Brianne that I was going to be on my best behavior tonight. As if I were bad anyways.
The door unlocked to reveal a man a little shorter than me and slightly husky. He was lighter than Bri but they had the same facial structure. Must be her father, I concluded. He was mean mugging me down. "Good evening sir," I greeted as properly as my hood etiquette would allow me. "Those for me?" He asked his arms crossed. I shook my head," No sir. For the ladies." "Daddy..." Bri sang as she came to the door," Let him in." Her father snarled at me once more before he let me set foot inside. I handed Bri her bouquet of flowers and kissed her on the bridge of her nose. "Thank you baby these are beautiful," she smiled. "I thought I was daddy?" I asked in her ear. Bri bit down on her lip to keep from breaking out into laughter. I was low key serious. "Best behavior, remember?" Was all she could say. "You certainly weren't on yours the other night but....okkayyy," I yawned as I followed her into the small living room space. A game was set up on the table in front of the two seater couch. "You ok with game night?" Brianne asked me. I nodded. I was down for whatever if it made her happy for her parents. "Nice to meet you, Deshawn. I've heard about ya," her mom greeted with a handshake and handed her the other bouquet causing her to blush. She was way more friendly than Bri's father. "Nice to meet you too," I returned. "Do you like to play games Deshawn?" Bri's father asked eyeing me. I felt as if he wa asking a question with a deeper meaning. I nodded," yeah I like playing board games and sports and stuff." Bri pulled me down in the carpet to sit in front of table beside her. Her parents took a seat on the couch together. "I figured we all could play a friendly game of bingo but it's got a twist. Every board has something different on it like maybe yes, no, or a situation like crashed a car. If you have done it put a bingo mark on it and whoever wins gets to say they won." Her mom explained. "How about pit fifty on it," her dad says pulling a crisp bill out his wallet. "I like that," I agreed. Her dad smiled," me too, cuss I'm going to win."

I've never had anything close to a family game night before. Other than the fact that Bri's dad gave me a hard look all the time, I enjoyed meeting her parents and doing something like this. Maybe I should do something similar with my mom and Destiny. We needed to communicate more in a lot.
"If you have ever smoked weed or any other drug put down a marker on yes," Ms. King called out. I hesitated but I marked it. Her father glared at my board that was scattered with markers here and there. I figured he was about to go in on me but he placed a marker on yes too and so did her mom. Everyone but Bri had done it. "What can I say. I'm sanctified," Bri joked with a smile as we all looked at her. She needed two more to win and I needed one just like her dad. Her mom was way behind. "If you have the words I've had sex before on your board and it's true place a maker on it." "Well your little girlfriend wouldn't be here if I hadn't," her dad joked as he placed one down. Bri bit the corner of her lip as I looked at her. This was a question I was not expecting. Now I wanted to stop playing. Her parents stared us down as we stared each other down. I let out a sigh and placed the marker down and she did too. "Bingo," I blurted out with hesitation. Bri's mom chuckled at the both of us. At least I was walking away tonight some type of winner. Bri's dad was no longer focused on me but on her. "Sanctified huh?" He mocked.